1
|
Delghandi S, Raoufinia R, Shahtahmasbi S, Meshkat Z, Gouklani H, Gholoobi A. An overview of occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) with emphasis on HBV vaccination. Heliyon 2024; 10:e37097. [PMID: 39281486 PMCID: PMC11402251 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 08/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a significant threat to the lives of 257 million individuals globally, potentially resulting in severe outcomes such as liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Among the existing preventive measures, yeast-derived vaccines have proven to be the most efficacious approach in combatting hepatitis B. Nonetheless, as scientific inquiries focus more on occult HBV infection (OBI) in vaccinated persons and the lingering risk of vertical transmission affecting 10-30 % of babies born to HBsAg-positive mothers, there is a growing apprehension regarding the inability of HBV vaccines to ensure complete immunity. This study aims to offer a more comprehensive understanding of the implications of widespread HBV vaccination initiatives on OBI while tackling the primary limitations associated with current vaccine formulations. Methods The exploration was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to pinpoint research on OBI within vaccinated cohorts. A sum of 76 suitable studies was recognized. Discussion Multiple studies have documented the occurrence of OBI in fully vaccinated individuals, including both the general population and high-risk groups, such as newborns born to HBsAg-positive mothers. Factors contributing to vaccine failures include low-level anti-HBs antibodies, high maternal viral loads in mother-to-child transmission cases, as well as the presence of vaccine escape mutants and heterologous HBV genotypes. However, further research is needed to precisely understand the impact of active immunization on the emergence of OBI in vaccinated populations. Nonetheless, it is apparent that the advancement of more effective HBV vaccines could potentially lead to the extinction of HBV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Delghandi
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Division of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ramin Raoufinia
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sahar Shahtahmasbi
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Zahra Meshkat
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamed Gouklani
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Aida Gholoobi
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
The Investigation of HBV Pre-S/S Gene Mutations in Occult HBV Infected Blood Donors with anti-HBs Positive. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY 2022; 2022:1874435. [PMID: 35903154 PMCID: PMC9325327 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1874435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Introduction The coexistence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs) in occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) is a contradictory phenomenon, and the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. The characteristics of pre-S/S mutations in OBI genotypes B and C (OBIB and OBIC) in the presence or absence of anti-HBs were analyzed extensively in this study. Methodology. The amino acid substitutions of envelope proteins of 21 OBI strains, including 4 HBs (+) OBIB, 6 HBs (−) OBIB, 6 HBs (+) OBIc, and 5 HBs (−) OBIC samples, were analyzed and fully compared among groups of HBV genotypes and the presence of anti-HBs. Results The mutation rates in pre-S1, pre-S2, and S proteins of OBIC were significantly higher than wild-type HBV (wt-HBV) genotype C strains, but only the mutation rate of S protein in OBIB was significantly higher compared to wild-type HBV genotype B. The mutation rates in S protein of anti-HBs (−) OBI were higher than anti-HBs(+) OBI samples (4.40% vs. 2.43% in genotype B, P > 0.05; 6.81% vs. 3.47% in genotype C, P < 0.05). For these high-frequency substitutions in the pre-S/S region, the mutations sN40S and sK122R were found in 27.3% and 45.5% of anti-HBs (−) OBI strains, respectively. 7 substitutions were uniquely found in OBIC strains and 9 substitutions were commonly detected in OBIB and OBIC strains. Conclusions These results suggested that the mutations might occur randomly and were not selected by antibody pressure.
Collapse
|
3
|
Hedayati-Moghaddam MR, Soltanian H, Behzadifar M. Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection Prevalence Among Different Populations of Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2020; 20. [DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.101722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Abstract
Context: Various frequency rates of occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) are reported from different parts of Iran. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to characterize the OBI epidemiology in Iran and estimate the pooled prevalence among different populations. Evidence Acquisition: Nine international and Persian electronic databases, as well as some conference proceedings, were searched. Original cross-sectional studies up to December 2018 were included if they investigated the prevalence of OBI by the detection of serum hepatitis B virus surface antigen and hepatitis B virus nucleic acid in at least 30 samples selected with any sampling methods. Comprehensive meta-analysis software was used to analyze the data, and Cochran’s Q-test and I-square statistics were applied to assess the heterogeneity. Meta-regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of the year of study on the OBI frequency. A P value < 0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Results: Of 412 citations found in electronic sources and 35 relevant citations added by searching the gray literature, 83 non-duplicated non-overlapping studies were evaluated. A total of 55 documents comprising 14,485 individuals from 16 provinces met the inclusion criteria and were used in the analysis. The prevalence of OBI considerably varied in different parts of the country with the highest prevalence (63.1%) reported among the HIV-positive population in Fars province. The rates of the OBI prevalence were estimated at 0.06% (95% CI: 0.02 - 0.16%) among blood donors (BDs) regardless of their anti-HBc status, 7.90% (95% CI: 4.33 - 13.99%) among anti-HBc positive BDs, 2.49% (95% CI: 1.2 - 4.81%) among hemodialysis (HD) patients, 4.44% (95% CI: 1.56 - 12.02%) among HIV-positive patients, and 7.76% (95% CI: 4.57 - 12.86%) among HCV-positive patients. No significant trends were observed in OBI prevalence rates among different groups over time (P > 0.05). Conclusions: This review revealed high rates of OBI prevalence among high-risk populations in Iran. It is strongly suggested that occult hepatitis B be investigated among populations with a high chance of its occurrence in our country.
Collapse
|
4
|
Rapisarda V, Nunnari G, Senia P, Vella F, Vitale E, Murabito P, Salerno M, Ledda C. Hepatitis B vaccination coverage among medical residents from Catania University Hospital, Italy. Future Microbiol 2019; 14:41-44. [PMID: 31187633 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2018-0240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Medical residents (MRs) are healthcare workers (HCWs) who are likely to be exposed to blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis B virus (HBV). A total of 220 (100%) MRs from Catania University Hospital (Italy) were enrolled for a seroprevalence study in the framework of occupational surveillance in order to evaluate HBV vaccination coverage. For each MR, Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg), Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb), Hepatitis B core antiboy (HbcAb), Hepatitis C antibody (HCV-Ab) and HIV antibody (HIV-Ab) were assessed. No one was found to be positive for: HbsAg, HbcAb, HCV-Ab or HIV-Ab. HBV vaccination coverage was found in 80% of those tested. A total of 45 MRs showed a nonprotective antibody titer; in eight, complete vaccination had never been carried out; in 37, the vaccination had been carried out, but the antibody titer was not protective. This research showed high adherence to HBV vaccination; however, the vaccine coverage of HCWs is still suboptimal. Vaccinations for HCWs should be made mandatory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Venerando Rapisarda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Sicily, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nunnari
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Sicily, Italy
| | - Paola Senia
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Sicily, Italy
| | - Francesca Vella
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Sicily, Italy
| | - Ermanno Vitale
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Sicily, Italy
| | - Paolo Murabito
- Anesthesia & Intensive Care, General Surgery & Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Sicily, Italy
| | - Monica Salerno
- Legal Medicine, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Caterina Ledda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Sicily, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Morsica G, Bagaglio S, Spagnuolo V, Castagna A, Di Serio C, Galli A, Della Torre L, Andolina A, Pramov A, Uberti-Foppa C. Immune response to hepatitis B vaccination in HIV-positive individuals with isolated antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen: Results of a prospective Italian study. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184128. [PMID: 28863182 PMCID: PMC5581175 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) are found in 14-44% of patients with HIV infection, but it is still unclear whether hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination should be recommended for HIV-positive subjects with isolated anti-HBc (IAHBc). We examined the rate of anamnestic and primary responses (ARs and PRs) and associated factors in a group of HIV-infected patients with an IAHBc profile. METHODS This prospective study recruited 25 HIV-positive patients with anti-HBc alone who were vaccinated against HBV infection. Those without an AR (anti-hepatitis B envelope antigen [anti-HBs] levels of <10 U/L) or who were hypo-responsiveness (anti-HBs levels of >10 but <100 U/L) four weeks after the first dose of vaccine underwent a full course of vaccinations. Their clinical and virological data, including the presence of occult hepatitis B infection (OBI), were evaluated in accordance with the vaccination schedule. RESULTS Six of the 25 patients (24%) showed an AR, four of whom had anti-HBs levels of <100 U/L. Ten of 19 (52.6%) remaining patients became seroprotected after the third dose. OBI was detected in four of the six patients with an AR, two of the 10 patients with a PR, and none of the nine patients who did not respond. Multivariate analysis showed that an AR was associated with the presence of OBI (P = 0.0162), and a PR was associated with HCV antibody status. (P = 0.0191). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that testing for anti-HBc alone may not be a reliable means of assessing protection from HBV infection in HIV-positive patients. OBI-positive patients may benefit from a single vaccine dose. Anti-HCV serostatus may affect PRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Morsica
- Division of Infectious Diseases, IRCCS, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Sabrina Bagaglio
- Division of Infectious Diseases, IRCCS, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Clelia Di Serio
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, CUSSB (University Centre for Statistics in the Biomedical Sciences), Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Galli
- Division of Infectious Diseases, IRCCS, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Andolina
- Division of Infectious Diseases, IRCCS, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Alexander Pramov
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, CUSSB (University Centre for Statistics in the Biomedical Sciences), Milan, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
The influence of anti-HBc status on the sustained virological response rate in HCV-infected patients treated with pegylated interferon alfa 2 and ribavirin. Clin Exp Hepatol 2016; 2:155-160. [PMID: 28856281 PMCID: PMC5497428 DOI: 10.5114/ceh.2016.63873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim of the study To determine the influence of HBsAg and HBeAg negative but anti-HBc positive status on the sustained virological response (SVR) rate in HCV-infected patients treated with pegylated interferon alfa 2 (Peg-IFNα-2) and ribavirin (RBV). Material and methods The study was based on the retrospective analysis of medical records of HCV-infected patients who started Peg-IFNα and RBV treatment between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2013 at the 1st and 2nd Department of Infectious Diseases of the Regional Hospital in Wrocław, Poland. Results Among 240 patients included in the analysis 99 were anti-HBc positive and 141 anti-HBc negative. In the genotype 1, anti-HBc positive group the SVR rate was 47% and in the anti-HBc negative group it was 42.7% (p = 0.591). In the genotype 3, anti-HBc positive group the SVR rate was 60% and in anti-HBc negative patients it was 63.2% (p = 0.79). Differences in SVR rates between anti-HBc positive and negative groups were not statistically significant. None of the anti-HBc positive patients developed reactivation of HBV infection during or in the 24 weeks following the end of treatment. Conclusions Anti-HBc determination does not seem to be useful in predicting treatment outcome of conventional Peg-IFNα/RBV therapy in patients infected with HCV genotypes 1 and 3.
Collapse
|
7
|
Makvandi M. Update on occult hepatitis B virus infection. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:8720-8734. [PMID: 27818588 PMCID: PMC5075547 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i39.8720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The event of mutations in the surface antigen gene of hepatitis B virus (HBV) results in undetectable hepatitis B surface antigen with positive/negative anti-hepatitis B core (anti-HBc) antibody status in serum and this phenomenon is named occult hepatitis B infection (OBI). The presence of anti-HBc antibody in serum is an important key for OBI tracking, although about 20% of OBI cases are negative for anti-HBc antibody. The diagnosis of OBI is mainly based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR assays. However, real-time PCR is a more reliable method than PCR. OBI is a great issue for the public health problem and a challenge for the clinical entity worldwide. The persistence of OBI may lead to the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. With regard to OBI complications, the screening of HBV DNA by the highly sensitive molecular means should be implemented for: (1) patients with a previous history of chronic or acute HBV infection; (2) patients co-infected with hepatitis C virus/human immunodeficiency virus; (3) patients undergoing chemotherapy or anti-CD20 therapy; (4) recipients of organ transplant; (5) blood donors; (6) organ transplant donors; (7) thalassemia and hemophilia patients; (8) health care workers; (9) patients with liver related disease (cryptogenic); (10) hemodialysis patients; (11) patients undergoing lamivudine or interferon therapy; and (12) children in time of HBV vaccination especially in highly endemic areas of HBV. Active HBV vaccination should be implemented for the close relatives of patients who are negative for OBI markers. Thus, the goal of this review is to evaluate the rate of OBI with a focus on status of high risk groups in different regions of the world.
Collapse
|